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This authentic, vintage fraternal officer badge commemorates the rank, meticulously customized for its original recipient, Richard H. James. Manufactured by the renowned B.J. Short Co., the piece showcases the high-quality craftsmanship characteristic of early 20th-century secret societies and civic organizations 10k 1-10.
The stamp "1/10 10K" means the badge is made of premium 10K Gold Filled material with a specific fractional quality ratio.
Instead of cheap electroplating, this means exactly 1/10th (or 10%) of the item's total weight consists of solid 10-karat gold. The remaining 90% is a sturdy base metal core (usually brass or bronze) to which the gold sheet was mechanically bonded under heat and pressure. Because a 1/10th ratio is twice as thick as the standard 1/20th gold-fill industry minimum, this badge possesses a highly durable gold layer that resists wearing through or tarnishing.
The badge is accompanied by its rare, original custom-fitted presentation case.
The engraving for "R.H. James" remains crisp, deep, and perfectly legible. The metal exhibits a rich, authentic age patina with minimal pocket wear. Enamel detailing remains bright and intact with no major chipping or hairline fractures. The pin mechanism on the reverse is fully functional and straight.
The structural frame remains perfectly rigid. The exterior shows minor shelf wear and corner scuffing consistent with age. The interior silk and velvet remain clean with strong coloration, displaying only minor compression marks from where the badge has rested.
